DEA warns of alarming increase of scam calls

WASHINGTON –
The Drug Enforcement Administration urges its DEA-registered
practitioners and members of the public to be cautious of telephone
calls from criminals posing as DEA or other law enforcement personnel
threatening arrest and prosecution for supposed violations of federal
drug laws or involvement in drug-trafficking activities.

“DEA continues to receive reports from practitioners and the general public, alike, indicating that they have received calls threatening legal action if an exorbitant fine is not paid immediately over the phone,” the agency said in a statement. “The callers typically identify themselves as DEA personnel and instruct their victims to pay the “fine” via wire transfer to avoid arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.”

The reported scam tactics are continually changing, but often share many of the following characteristics:

The
tone of calls is urgent and aggressive; callers refuse to speak or
leave a message with anyone other than the person for whom they are
calling.

Callers
threaten arrest, prosecution and imprisonment, and in the case of
medical practitioners, revocation of their DEA numbers.

Callers
demand thousands of dollars via wire transfer or, in some instances, in
the form of untraceable gift cards taken over the phone.

Callers falsify the number on caller ID to appear as a legitimate DEA phone number.

Callers will often ask for personal information, such as social security number or date of birth.

When
calling a medical practitioner, callers often reference National
Provider Identifier numbers and/or state license numbers. They also
might claim that patients are making accusations against the
practitioner.

“It ’s important to underscore that DEA personnel will never contact practitioners or members of the public by telephone to demand money or any other form of payment,” the agency said. “DEA will not request any personal or sensitive information over the phone. Notification of a legitimate investigation or legal action is made via official letter or in person.”

(Article Continues Below Advertisement)

Impersonating a federal agent is a violation of federal law.

Anyone
receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be a DEA special
agent or other law enforcement official seeking money should refuse the
demand and report the threat using the online form
or by calling 877-792-2873. Reporting scam calls will greatly assist
DEA in investigating and stopping this criminal activity. Any urgent
concerns or questions, including inquiring about legitimate
investigations, should be directed to the local DEA field division.

Content created by Conservative Daily News and some content syndicated through CDN is available for re-publication without charge under the Creative Commons license. Visit our syndication page for details and requirements.

About R. Mitchell

Rich Mitchell is the editor-in-chief of Conservative Daily News. His posts may contain opinions that are his own and are not necessarily shared by Anomalous Media, CDN, staff or .. much of anyone else. Find him on twitter, facebook and google+